Hillary Clinton and the Abortion Issue

Hillary Clinton Starts Week on Women's Issues by Promoting Abortion

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Hillary Clinton began a week devoted to women's issues on Monday but she used her first policy speech to bash President Bush on the issue of abortion. Clinton says she has a lead in the Democratic race for president because of the backing of women but she may find it more difficult, one poll shows, to attract women next year. Clinton started her week devoted to women with an appearance on ABC's "The View" and plans to deliver a policy address in New Hampshire on Tuesday. She also had an appearance with a New York activist group Monday and, criticized President Bush on abortion by saying he had appointed judges to the Supreme Court who had limited abortion rights. The high court, in April, found that the nation's ban on partial-birth abortions, which Bush signed into law, was constitutional. The ban enjoyed the support of anywhere from 60-80 percent of Americans depending on the poll. Clinton told the television program that she's happy some voters support her because she is the only woman in the race but wants to be supported because she is the best candidate.

Today the The New York Times published an article on the presidential candidate's positions on the issue of abortion. To access this article click here:

http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/issues/abortion/index.html.

This is going to be an important election for those concerned about the abortion issue.

Sinners Saved by Grace

Sometimes people hesitate to become involved in ministry because they believe that their troubles, past and current provide a negative witness to others. I think it is important for the clients of Lois' Lodge to understand that those of us that serve at Lois' Lodge are all just sinners saved by grace, striving to live a life that is pleasing to our Lord and Savior. In God's eyes, none of us are any better than the troubled families that we seek to help. We all struggle with our sin nature. The Bible says that, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"; Romans 3:23. As Christians we believe that the only difference between those of us that have invited Christ into our life and those that have not is that 1) we have the assurance that no matter how many times we mess up we are forgiven and 2) the assurance of a wonderful future into eternity. John 10:28 tells us, "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand". If you are not a Christian and are interested in learning more about how you can have these assurances see: "The Secret to Life Change", in the right hand column of this blog. Also, please feel free to check in with me. I would love to talk to you more about this. Debbie

Christian Women by Maya Angelou

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'"

I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say.. "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say.. "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou,

I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, some how!

Amish and the power of giving

When we lived in rural Ohio we used to see Amish buggies like this riding down our street. But, rest assured, I didn't take this photo. The Amish don't like to have their pictures taken so we would not have disrespected them this way. We also used to watch the Amish children walking to school. It was like living in a different world watching these quiet and humble people, so separated from today's society. Read more about Amish below. Debbie

From: Donor Power Blog

Amish community demonstrates the power of charity

Posted: 02 Oct 2007 10:20 AM CDT

If you have any doubts about the deep and abiding power of charitable giving, check out this story: Amish donate money to widow of schoolhouse gunman.

You've heard about the Amish community in Nickel Mines, PA, because that's where a gunman attacked a school and killed five girls and injured five more before taking his own life a year ago today. That same community is making a donation to the killer's widow, who has three children.

A statement about this nearly inexplicable move said:
Many from Nickel Mines have pointed out that forgiveness is a journey, that you need help from your community of faith and from God ... to make and hold on to a decision not to become a hostage to hostility.

That's an extreme example, but it shows us what giving can mean. It connects givers to something deeper, stronger, and better than they might be otherwise. It can heal people and communities. Imagine what kind of world we'd live in of more people gave -- and gave the way Nickel Mines is giving.

Those of us working in nonprofit ministry can tend to think about fundraising as a necessary evil. We all need to view fundraising and giving as a "necessary blessing". Acts 20:35

Beautiful Baby Boy

A BEAUTIFUL BABY BOY

This beautiful baby and his mom are currently residing in one of our aftercare homes. We are seeking volunteers for babysitting so that our moms can have someone to watch their child while they go job hunting. There are opportunities for our clients to access daycare but they are not able to acquire this service until after they have a job. We need you to help us to fill this gap. If you are interested in volunteering at Lois' Lodge please complete a Volunteer Application through our website: http://www.loislodge.org/. Imagine- a volunteer experience that allows you to cuddle with this little guy. He is as sweet as can be.

Sex tourism targeting US minors

At Lois' Lodge we have served many girls over the past several years, who have surprised and shocked their families. These girls are intelligent and well-liked – raised in a strong Christian family. Oftentimes they are heading towards graduating high school with excellent grades. They run away with their boyfriends. Not just any guy, mind you, but a grown man, who may even already be wanted on charges relating to prostitution and physical assault on a child. These girls leave by their own choice. They are gone for days or even weeks fleeing their parents, their church and the police before finally turning themselves in. Ultimately they are brought to our setting, pregnant, because their families are not able to control them and to keep them away from negative environments and influences. All of us need to stay alert in order to protect our children from predators.

I have worked with teenagers and their parents for many years and have raised my own two teenagers, with my own share of challenges. There is very little I haven’t seen in the way of teenage rebellion. Substance abuse. School expulsions. Runaways. Disrespect. Car accidents. Peer pressure sexually transmitted disease, pregnancy.... The list goes on. Please know that I and the staff at Lois' Lodge are available to you. Contact us if you need some support and/or advice. I encourage you to seek counseling for yourself and your family if your teen's rebellion seems to rise to a level that is dangerous. Your pastor can refer you to a Christian counselor that can help you to navigate through these challenging years.

The story below is information of which we should all be aware.

Baptist Press 9/26/07

Sex tourism' targeting U.S. minors.

By Erica Simons WASHINGTON (BP)--

Demands for commercial sex have created a growing market of sex tourism and human trafficking in the United States, with an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 American children at risk of becoming victims of sexual exploitation, according to a new report. "DEMAND" is both a video documentary and comprehensive report on a 12-month investigation conducted by Shared Hope International. Based in Vancouver, Wash., SHI is a non-profit organization that compiled the information in an effort to understand and bring an end to human trafficking.

"U.S. citizens and permanent residents under the age of 18 are increasingly being recruited into the commercial sex markets," the report says. Runaway children and underage American women are among the most common victims of human trafficking."People talk about how awful it is that in a place like Nepal, or in Thailand, you can have a people or a country who can allow their children to be sold, but the reality is it's no different in Washington, D.C.," says Derek Ellerman, co-executive director of the Polaris Project, in the documentary.

The report also focuses on the market aspects of the "multi-billion dollar industry," specifically our society that generates such high volumes of buyers of commercial sex. "As the culture continues to normalize sexual images and activities, the markets grow," the study says. "The sexualized popular culture ... reduces moral barriers to accessing commercial sex." Advertisements, television and music, along with video games that "glamorize pimping and prostitution," seem to be the culprits, quickly expanding an already large industry, the study says.

The United States, the report says, presents a unique challenge to those combating the sex slave industry: Most Americans are wired. "With nearly 70 percent of Americans accessing the Internet, the accessibility to commercial sex markets on the Internet is staggering," according to the report. The web facilitates arrangements for prostitution and allows child pornography to be made easily and inexpensively.

SHI's commitment to reducing the number of victims who are pulled into human trafficking focuses on one area: demand. "Too often, police enforcement has focused on the prostitute, with practically no attention given at all to prosecuting the traffickers and so-called customers," said Duke, the ERLC's vice president for public policy. "As long as demand exists, there will be unscrupulous people who will be willing to traffic human beings to meet it."Awareness is one way SHI hopes to decrease the demand, by revealing the tragedy behind the sex market. "If there were no buyers, there would be no sellers, and there would be no victims," the documentary says. To watch "DEMAND," visit SHI's website at: http://www.sharedhope.org/what/enddemand3.asp